Chapter 142: Duel Between Two, Fight to the Death

The senior and junior brothers locked eyes, invisible sparks of hostility flashing back and forth between them.

After a tense duel of gazes, Shen Gongbao suddenly burst into laughter. "Ah! Tell me, Senior Brother, did you really run all the way from Xiqi to Zhaoge just to spread a few rumors? Heh, my once lofty and proud senior brother, how is it that you've changed your temperament today, learning the ways of those street ruffians? This is hardly the senior brother I used to know."

"Hmph, Shen Gongbao, and what brings you here? Could it be to report my whereabouts? Go on then, hurry and inform King Zhou; perhaps out of pity for a stray dog wagging its tail, they might toss you a bone or two."

"Bah! Enough of your nonsense, Jiang Ziya, I didn't come here to trade barbs with you! Hand over the Investiture of the Gods scroll immediately. Considering our shared discipleship, I can spare your life," Shen Gongbao said fiercely, instantly drawing his weapon.

Jiang Ziya sneered with disdain. "Hmph, so you truly came for this. Very well, the scroll is right here on my person. If you have the ability, come and take it; I am ready to accompany you to the very end."

"Good! You said it."

"Indeed I did. If you have the capacity, come and take it."

Bang!

Clack!

Boom!

In less than ten breaths, the two engaged in a fierce battle of over a hundred rounds.

"White Tiger, go!"

Roar!

Shen Gongbao mounted his beast directly and launched a ferocious assault on Jiang Ziya.

The roar shook the heavens, stirring up flying sand and stones with earth-shattering might!

The White Tiger lashed out with a massive claw. Jiang Ziya dodged swiftly, yet the sharp claws still managed to tear a corner of his left sleeve.

Jiang Ziya's breath hitched instantly!

Incredible!

What an overbearing and vicious beast!

He must be destroyed!

"Abomination! Do not be arrogant!"

Roar!

Unfazed by Jiang Ziya's intimidation, the White Tiger unleashed another earth-shaking roar, transforming into a streak of lightning as it struck straight at Jiang Ziya.

Jiang Ziya's expression changed drastically, and he hurriedly chanted an incantation: "Heavenly Light Thunder Path, slay all evils! By my decree!"

"Oh no, White Tiger, fall back!"

That was the power of thunder and lightning, something no ordinary beast could withstand.

Acting in haste, Shen Gongbao unleashed a cloud of black mist: "Heart-Devouring Skull, break through!"

"Ah... oh no, that is..."

Jiang Ziya flicked his horsetail whisk, tracing a circle in the air. He stepped into the halo of light and vanished like a ghost without a trace.

"Hmph, Senior Brother, this game has only just begun. Let's see where you can run."

"Wind Escape, make haste!"

The two living men, who had been locked in a fierce battle amidst lightning just moments before, vanished into thin air in the blink of an eye.

The senior and junior brothers pursued and fought one another all the way.

Chasing each other relentlessly from the scorching plains up to the snow-capped mountains.

Shen Gongbao’s pursuit of Jiang Ziya was as relentless and clinging as an evil ghost.

Having studied under the same master and originated from the same sect, their mastery of Daoist arts was largely similar.

If there was any distinction between their techniques, it was that Shen Gongbao’s Dao was far more unorthodox.

Especially when it came to lethal strikes, Shen Gongbao was far more ruthless and venomous than Jiang Ziya.

Every single one of Shen Gongbao’s killing blows was designed to take a life, whereas Jiang Ziya’s attacks were comparatively much milder.

At this moment, high upon the snow-covered peak.

Watching his junior brother, who had clung to him like a shadow throughout the chase, Jiang Ziya began to feel a headache coming on. "Junior Brother, let's be honest. You've hounded me every step of the way—what on earth do you want?"

"What do I want? Do you really have to ask? Senior Brother, looking at your advanced age with hair entirely white, surely you haven't grown only white hair while leaving your brains behind?"

"You—!"

Shen Gongbao's unreserved mockery almost caused Jiang Ziya to spit a mouthful of old blood. "Shen Gongbao, aren't you simply after the Investiture of the Gods scroll I'm carrying? It's not impossible, provided you have the capability."

"That's right, today I am here precisely for that scroll. Jiang Ziya, hmph, if you know what's good for you, obediently hand it over. As I said, considering we share the same master, I can spare your life. Otherwise—"

As he spoke, Shen Gongbao swept his sleeve.

Rip!

It sounded as though the air itself had been torn apart, whipping up dark gales and howling winds.

"Junior Brother, you... where did you learn such vicious arts? If Master finds out, hmph, Master will certainly not spare you!"

Black mist billowed, accompanied by the ghastly floating shapes of terrifying skulls.

The Heart-Devouring Skull technique could instantly erode a person's will. If the victim's spirit was not formidable enough, even if they managed to wake up, they would be reduced to a mindless fool in the end.

Such an incantation was truly vicious and ruthless!

Condemned by heaven and earth!

He deserved to die!

"Senior Brother, are you afraid? Haha... With my Heart-Devouring Skull technique, no matter how overbearing or powerful your Daoist arts may be, once you inadvertently fall into this array, not only will your flesh and blood be devoured down to the last morsel, but even your primordial spirit will be consumed alongside it. Haha..."

"Senior Brother, I will give you one last chance. Quickly hand over the Investiture of the Gods scroll, and I can spare your life."

"Bah! In your dreams! Even if I die, I will never hand the scroll over to a villain like you, you... dream on!" Jiang Ziya displayed unyielding resolve.

Shen Gongbao flew into a complete rage. "Jiang Ziya, you are truly incorrigible! Since you refuse a toast only to drink a forfeiture, I have no need to be polite with you either."

"Heart-Devouring Skull technique, by my decree!"

Howling and shrieking...

The towering snowscape reaching up to the firmament was instantly enveloped and blotted out by a multitude of black skulls.

The black mist was impervious, seeping through every pore and crack.

"Righteousness fills heaven and earth, purple energy comes from the east, break!"

In his panic, Jiang Ziya raised a barrier of primordial celestial energy and braced himself to block the onslaught.

Yet all around him, those howling black skulls remained, accompanied by wailing ghostly winds, raging tempests, and flying rocks...

It felt as though the very Milky Way in the heavens was about to be pulverized and shattered.

Shen Gongbao smiled darkly. "Jiang Ziya, it's useless. Your celestial purple energy can only hold them off for a moment. Let me tell you, once a little time passes, your physical body and your primordial spirit as well... Haha, every single scrap of you will be devoured by my Heart-Devouring Skulls without a trace..."

"Is that so? Then let us wait and see!"

Jiang Ziya gritted his teeth, tightened his nerves, and continued his resistance...

"Senior Brother, how about I add another delicacy for you?"

Hiss, hiss!

With a flick of Shen Gongbao’s sleeve, a completely crimson snake shot out like a bolt toward Jiang Ziya's face.

Could that be a Scarlet-Coated Viper?

The king of venomous snakes!

Incredible!

Terrifying beyond measure!

To be bitten even once by this tiny red viper meant that no matter how profound or formidable a celestial being's magic might be, there was no escaping the venom coursing through their heart and blood, leading inevitably to death.

Shen Gongbao’s vicious methods were far too overbearing; truly, he was utterly detestable!